In today’s legal landscape, law and leadership should go hand-in-hand, especially where policymaking is concerned. However, it’s important to remember that while some individuals may have the innate qualities of a leader, other aspects can be also learned. For instance, you might have been drawn to the legal profession because you have strong problem-solving skills and want to help others, but are you prepared to encourage a discussion with your team that centers around conflict in order to resolve an issue? This is one example of the many challenges that a strong leader can learn to navigate with ease.
If you’re considering career paths that require extensive legal knowledge and the ability to lead a team but don’t require a traditional law degree, McGeorge School of Law offers several programs that can help achieve your goals, including an online Master of Science in Law, Government Law & Policy. Here, you can learn about how to be a strong public speaker, how to effectively negotiate contracts, and the importance of leadership roles in organizations.
What Is Leadership?
Leadership requires a combination of several traits and skills to be effective, especially where the law is concerned. It’s crucial to recognize that true leadership isn’t about one person; instead, it should focus on the group, be it the team you’re working with or the sector of the community that will benefit from your input. Being an effective leader means:
- Learning how to communicate clearly
- Understanding how to initiate a difficult conversation to create engagement and find a resolution
- Practicing self-awareness to make giving and receiving feedback easier
- Knowing how to speak to others in a way that makes them feel heard
- Being adaptable to the needs of others
- Building a vision by creating achievable, measurable goals
- Keeping ethics in mind when making decisions
The average law firm relies on an apprenticeship model to bring in new talent, but it can be difficult for these professionals to devote time strictly to mentorship amidst the myriad daily challenges that cases bring. This means that many individuals in the legal profession don’t get the benefit of learning how to manage their behaviors according to the needs of the client or team they are working with. One of the many benefits of taking the Law, Government Law & Policy program at McGeorge School of Law is that you’ll be able to learn a variety of both hard and soft skills from experienced professors and faculty in a supportive learning environment.
Leadership and the Laws and Regulations Process
The Law, Government Law & Policy program will provide insight into lawmaking processes on both a state and federal level, allowing you to build skills in preparing and assessing bills as you dive into the legislative process. It will also prepare students who are considering careers in public-facing agencies, emphasizing the importance of how to effectively work within a team, how to communicate, and how to practice professional ethics.
You’ll also learn about policymaking at various levels and how to advocate and influence these processes. The course will allow you to focus on a real public policy issue as you complete a project related to the problem. This will provide the opportunity for hands-on research about legislation, court orders, regulations and how lawyers influence their development.
How To Merge Leadership With Your Career Goals
What do all of the above skills have in common? They are crucial in building leadership qualities. Strong leaders are necessary in the world of policymaking, in part because their ability to speak on topics they’re passionate about can affect change. Leaders are also able to garner support from followers while holding others accountable for their actions–an invaluable trait for individuals who are working with both the public and government agencies.
Effective leaders also understand how to initiate difficult conversations in order to solve a problem, which can boost team morale and generate a healthy workplace culture. In situations involving your work with organizations, having strong leadership qualities will help you create a healthy rapport with clients and coworkers alike.
Affect Real Change For The Environment
If environmental causes align with your career goals, you’ll also have the option to enroll in elective courses such as Water Resources Law and Environmental Law, where you’ll learn about legal policies and public rights where water resources and wildlife are concerned. In Lobbying & Politics, you’ll learn about state legislatures and how the voting process is influenced by grassroots campaigns and political parties. You’ll also learn the types of advocacy skills required to work with different groups.
Because environmental activism is so multifaceted, acquiring leadership skills within these programs can help you prepare for a variety of careers or projects. Whether you want to work with animal advocacy groups, bring clean water to communities without, combat the pollution of the oceans, or address climate change, many options will require you to lead the way. You might organize community cleanups, or start a discussion at a local government forum. The possibilities are only as limited as your vision for the future.
No matter what your goals are, McGeorge’s flexible online programs can help you meet them. With asynchronous courses and professors who have real experience in their fields, these programs provide everything you need to complete your degree with confidence. Take a look at the information for the Master of Science in Law, Government Law & Policy today and get started on the path to your leadership journey.